Are you Comfortable

[Wraith]

OFFENSE (25)

QB: Palmer, Fitzpatrick, Rowe PS: Palmer

RB: Rudi, Perry, Watson PS: James Johnson

FB: Daniel Coates PS: Glatthaar of the Hill People.

WR: C.J, T.J, Simpson, Caldwell, Maxwell, Urrutia

TE: Kelly, Utecht, Sherry

LT: Levi Jones, Collins

LG: Whitworth (C, LT)

C: Ghiaciuc, Santucci

RG: Bobbie Williams ©, Koostra

RT: Andrews (LT), Anderson (RG)

DEFENSE (25)

LDE: Geathers, Fanene (DT)

LDT: Peko, Myers PS: Shirley

RDT: Thornton, Sims

RDE: Odom, Rucker, Henderson (SOLB)

WOLB: Rivers (MLB), Brandon Johnson

MLB: Dhani Jones PS: Hoke

SOLB: Jeanty, Blackstock, Brooks (MLB)

SS: Jackson, Ndukwe (FS)

FS: White, Hebert (SS), Lynch

RCB: Hall, Jones, Castille

LCB: Joseph, Kilmer (FS)

K: Graham

P: Larson

LS: St. Louis (TE)

If this is the way the Roster shakes down. Are you comfortable with this team? I have to say, I think this is the most athletic defense the Bengals have ever had (with the possible exception of 1976 with Coy Bacon, Lemar Parrish, Ken Riley, Tommy Casanova, Jim LeClair, Reggie Williams). I think it is very balanced offensively and I think that this team will be able to stand the rigours of the season because of very good depth. Other than QB, P, and K (and of course C.J. and T.J.) I don't see a single position where we are screwed if the starter misses significant time.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Other than QB, P, and K (and of course C.J. and T.J.) I don't see a single position where we are screwed if the starter misses significant time.

D-line still could be weak. We've been screwed there for years whether the starters miss time or not.

C looks weak, unless this is the year Gooey turns the corner. I'm still not drinking the Stacey kool-aid. We have real questions at RB, though initial returns look good for Rudi and maybe even Glass. There's a lot of potential at LB and a lot of depth, but I'd feel better if some starters pulled away from the pack.

The only place I feel good about talent and depth is the secondary. Aside from that, most spots are one or the other.

[Wraith]

Look it isn't the strength of our defense thats for certain but I think Odom is an upgrade of Justin "three sacks and a cloud of dust" Smith, I think 2008 Peko is better than 2007 Peko which was better than 2006 Peko, Sims in a rotation with Thornton strengthens the position and Geathers as a DE is much better than Geathers as a OLB/S/DT which is what he was last year out of neccessity (S is a little tongue and cheek but I did see him on numerous occasions drop into pass coverage which is a complete joke). To get to the playoffs all the defense has to be is about 2 touchdowns better and I think it will be much better than that.

[Wraith]

I Predict Pro Bowls for Palmer, CJ, TJ, Andrews, Ndukwe, and Joseph.

[CJBestInAFC]

If you put Shirley on the practice squad he will be gone like Matt Toeaina was to the Bears. I say either get rid of Myers or Thornton, preferably Thornton because of his high salary and little performance on the field. I am telling you once you dump Thornton the dline problems will go away. He is undersized and gets pushed around way too much to be considered a starter at this point in his career. I much rather have the rookies like Sims and Shirley make their mistakes than watch Thornton get blown off the ball.

[GROIII]

Shirley isn't going anywhere. They drafted him for a reason. I wouldn't be suprised if Thorton is cut sooner than later giving him a chance to catch on somewhere else.

[Tee]

OFFENSE (25)

QB: Palmer, Fitzpatrick, Rowe PS: Palmer

RB: Rudi, Perry, Watson PS: James Johnson

FB: Daniel Coates PS: Glatthaar of the Hill People.

WR: C.J, T.J, Simpson, Caldwell, Maxwell, Urrutia

TE: Kelly, Utecht, Sherry

LT: Levi Jones, Collins

LG: Whitworth (C, LT)

C: Ghiaciuc, Santucci

RG: Bobbie Williams ©, Koostra

RT: Andrews (LT), Anderson (RG)

DEFENSE (25)

LDE: Geathers, Fanene (DT)

LDT: Peko, Myers PS: Shirley

RDT: Thornton, Sims

RDE: Odom, Rucker, Henderson (SOLB)

WOLB: Rivers (MLB), Brandon Johnson

MLB: Dhani Jones PS: Hoke

SOLB: Jeanty, Blackstock, Brooks (MLB)

SS: Jackson, Ndukwe (FS)

FS: White, Hebert (SS), Lynch

RCB: Hall, Jones, Castille

LCB: Joseph, Kilmer (FS)

K: Graham

P: Larson

LS: St. Louis (TE)

Shirley you can't be serious........

[Wraith]

Have you seen the guy play? He is as stiff as a board. Leverage is everything in the trenches and Shirley will get knocked around much worse than Thornton. There is no place in the NFL for guys who can't move their feet or for linemen who can't get under the other guys pads. The Bengals made a mistake by drafting him and I expect Marvin will correct that mistake.

I hope I am wrong, I would love the Bengals to have a 345 lb mauler at D-Line.

[GROIII]

OFFENSE (25)

QB: Palmer, Fitzpatrick, Palmer

RB: Rudi, Perry, Watson, Dede Dorsey, James Johnson... One of these backs will get hurt in the preseason probably. If not no one can know who will go. My guess would be Dorsey he is fragile and Johnson looks like a beast in practice. We will see what he can do in the preseason.

FB: Daniel Coates PS: Glatthaar

WR: C.J, T.J, Chatman, Simpson, Caldwell, Maxwell

TE: Kelly, Utecht PS: Sherry

LT: Levi Jones, Collins

LG: Whitworth (C, LT)

C: Ghiaciuc, Santucci

RG: Bobbie Williams ©, Koostra

RT: Andrews (LT), Anderson (RG)

DEFENSE (25)

LDE: Geathers, Fanene (DT)

LDT: Peko, Myers

RDT: Sims, Shirley

RDE: Odom, Rucker, Henderson (SOLB)

WOLB: Rivers (MLB), Brandon Johnson

MLB: Dhani Jones PS: Hoke

SOLB: Jeanty, Blackstock, Brooks (MLB)

SS: Jackson, Ndukwe (FS)

FS: White, Hebert (SS), Lynch

RCB: Hall, D. Oneal, Jones PS: Castille

LCB: Joseph, Kilmer (FS)

K: Graham

P: Larson

LS: St. Louis (TE)

[GregCook]

Have you seen the guy play? He is as stiff as a board. Leverage is everything in the trenches and Shirley will get knocked around much worse than Thornton. There is no place in the NFL for guys who can't move their feet or for linemen who can't get under the other guys pads. The Bengals made a mistake by drafting him and I expect Marvin will correct that mistake.

I hope I am wrong, I would love the Bengals to have a 345 lb mauler at D-Line.

I haven't seen him play but I have not seen too many 5th rounders get sent off to the PS either, then he's a wasted draft pick. He'll stick on the 53 is my wild ass guess.

The position I'm most uncomfortable with is LB. Brooks is heading out of town and there is little depth at the spot. One injury away from serious problems again. I think this is where the Bengals could crash if Brooks doesn't get his game together.

RB is a big concern since the stars, Perry and Rudi have done nothing over the last 2 years, besides get older. Can they still play?

Secondary, DLine looks the best in years imho.

OLine and pass catchers looks the best in years imho.

Carson should have a fabulous year imho. I think he has the potential to lead the league in all QB categories this year. He's got the weapons, he's got a great line, he's healthy and fully recovered from his knee injury and he's got a defense that should get him the ball from time to time.

[Spor_tees]

Have you seen the guy play? He is as stiff as a board. Leverage is everything in the trenches and Shirley will get knocked around much worse than Thornton. There is no place in the NFL for guys who can't move their feet or for linemen who can't get under the other guys pads. The Bengals made a mistake by drafting him and I expect Marvin will correct that mistake.

I hope I am wrong, I would love the Bengals to have a 345 lb mauler at D-Line.

I haven't seen him play but I have not seen too many 5th rounders get sent off to the PS either, then he's a wasted draft pick. He'll stick on the 53 is my wild ass guess.

The position I'm most uncomfortable with is LB. Brooks is heading out of town and there is little depth at the spot. One injury away from serious problems again. I think this is where the Bengals could crash if Brooks doesn't get his game together.

RB is a big concern since the stars, Perry and Rudi have done nothing over the last 2 years, besides get older. Can they still play?

Secondary, DLine looks the best in years imho.

OLine and pass catchers looks the best in years imho.

Carson should have a fabulous year imho. I think he has the potential to lead the league in all QB categories this year. He's got the weapons, he's got a great line, he's healthy and fully recovered from his knee injury and he's got a defense that should get him the ball from time to time.

You guys crack me up. A running back that broke the team record for yards in two consecutive season just 2 years ago is old and washed up? Rudi was playing hurt almost the entire season last year behind a banged-up, ever changing O-line, and all of a sudden he is a has-been instead of a Pro-bowler? Do I need to name all the premiere running backs in the league that have had an injury plagued year and came back to form the next year? It happens all the time...

[bucksfan2]

RB's are a dime a dozen. If you have a good O-Line you will have a good running game. If healthy both Perry and Rudi your two feature backs. I think Watson gets a slight nod because of his blocking. I can forsee him as a 3rd down back but the again Perry can fill that void. Dorsey and James Johnson will be in the hunt for a roster spot but it will probably go to the guy who either can play on special teams or the one who they fell will make it through to the practice squad.

My biggest concern on this team is the DLine. Its no secret that the Bengals were awful at getting to the QB last season. If your front 4 is unable to get to the QB you are in for a long season. Oden is probably an upgrade pass rushing wise over Smith. He may not have as many tackles as Smith but I will take sacks over tackles 10 yards down the field. I like Gathers athleticism but he needs to disrupt the passing game. The DT's are a question mark. It didin't seem to me like Peko progressed as much as people hoped last season.

[Wraith]

I'll add to Spor tees remarks about Rudi Johnson.

2006: 341 Attempts 1,309 Yards 12 TDs which was good enough for 7th in the NFL. Yes he only had 3.8 yards per carry but I think that was more a function of his running style than anything else, Jerome Bettis did 3.3 (2005), 3.8 (2004), 3.3 (2003), 3.6 (2002) and only went over 3.8 YPC 4 times in 13 NFL Seasons but the man will be a HOFer because he wore defenses out which is exactly what Rudi does. Rudi is only 28 years old and has a few more years on those tires. If Rudi returns to the 1,200 yard mark with his now trademark 12 TDs and a 3.8 YPC average, this team goes to the playoffs, and I think he will.

One other thing I'll comment on: Yards per Play is the only real indicator about the efficiency of an offense, a defense (like Pittsburgh for example) can have a real impact on offensive stats because, turnovers and 3 and outs give to offense a greater number of plays per game thus artificially propping up offensive stats. In 2005 the Cincinnati Bengals were 4th in the NFL in offensive yards per play behind Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Seattle, in 2006 we were 7th, and in 2007 with all the injuries (Chris Perry, Rudi Johnson, Kenny Irons, Levi Jones, Willie Anderson, Eric Ghiaciuc, Antonio Chatman, Chris Henry all missing significant time) we were 9th. This year I would expect (provided we stay reasonably healthy) to be back up the the 3rd or fourth range which make us an elite offense.

[Ickey44]

RB is a concern. With Perry's injury history, Rudi's bum hamstring (which is hurt again), and Watson's age I'm not quite sure what to expect this year from that position.

FB concerns me, too. Can JJ get back into shape and perform? If not, can Coats step in and be just as effective?

DT is the only other position that really worries me. Thornton needs to go. Myers is average. We have Peko and two rookies. Peko will be fine, but how will the rookies perform?

[Spor_tees]

RB is a concern. With Perry's injury history, Rudi's bum hamstring (which is hurt again), and Watson's age I'm not quite sure what to expect this year from that position.

FB concerns me, too. Can JJ get back into shape and perform? If not, can Coats step in and be just as effective?

DT is the only other position that really worries me. Thornton needs to go. Myers is average. We have Peko and two rookies. Peko will be fine, but how will the rookies perform?

I think it is more that Marvin is trying to keep his guys fresh and get a fast healthy start to the season, than it has anything to do with serious injuries. Rudi will be fine, let the young rooks do all the leg work in the preseason and then when things do matter, Rudi will carry the load.

[Ickey44]

RB is a concern. With Perry's injury history, Rudi's bum hamstring (which is hurt again), and Watson's age I'm not quite sure what to expect this year from that position.

FB concerns me, too. Can JJ get back into shape and perform? If not, can Coats step in and be just as effective?

DT is the only other position that really worries me. Thornton needs to go. Myers is average. We have Peko and two rookies. Peko will be fine, but how will the rookies perform?

I think it is more that Marvin is trying to keep his guys fresh and get a fast healthy start to the season, than it has anything to do with serious injuries. Rudi will be fine, let the young rooks do all the leg work in the preseason and then when things do matter, Rudi will carry the load.

No, Rudi is actually out with a hamstring. He's been out for three or four days.

[Wraith]

Rudi is not injured he is being kept out of practice to preserve him for the regular season.

[Ickey44]

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...0365/1066/SPT02

Tailback Rudi Johnson and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, two valuable skill players in the Bengals offense, have missed almost a week each of training camp because of hamstring injuries.

Johnson, who missed five games last year and was limited in several others because of a left hamstring injury, said he has a minor issue with his right hamstring this camp.

"Just resting up," he said. "It's precautionary. I could be back out there tomorrow."

Houshmandzadeh, who had consistent problems with his hamstrings earlier in his career, also has what is described as a minor hamstring ailment that he, too, is resting.

All I read was the title before, but this article contradicts itself. First he has an injury, then quotes him as saying he doesn't. I don't know what to believe. But if it's precautionary, we hold him out so long? They're not being that stingy with Perry.

[GROIII]

yeah i'm sure you all believe TJ is hurt also??lol They will be just fine it is early in camp Marvin is just keeping people fresh.

[Wraith]

Put it to you this way.

Ndukwe had a knee sprain that took him off the field for about 1/2 a practice. Now, Ndukwe is the second string strong safety and it was immediately reported on by 4 blog sites (Ludwigs, Curnuttes, McAllisters, and C Trents) as well as Pro Football Talk. If you can find me one mention in any of the five outlets that appear to be paying close attention to the Bengals Training Camp about Rudi re-injuring his hamstring, I will offer you my sincere apologies. Note: I have already done this exercise and thus I don't believe apologies will be issued.

[Ickey44]

Dude, why you getting s**tty? All I was doing was relating what I had read. This isn't a pissing contest.

[HairOnFire]

This isn't a pissing contest.

Sure it is. This is the internet.

I've read snippets about Rudi having slight problems with the hamstring again, so holding him out of practice now has got to be a given. Whether the problem lingers is anyones guess, but we ARE talking about hamstrings, and that's sorta what they do, right?

[Orange and black fanatic]

I am 3x more comfortable about this year's roster over what we had going into last year. Particularly the o-line and DBs.

Obviously, we have a lot of time to see how things shake out and shape up, but I would be more comfortable if I heard good things about Ahmad Brooks', Pat Sims' and Coats' play and that Odom and Ndukwe are fine.

For some reason the idea of us relying on 2 Cardinal LB rejects does not inspire confidence.

The roster is full of NFL talent and I predict that the Bengals will be cutting a number of players that will end up picked up by other teams.

BTW Rudi's hamstring that is bothering him is not the one was injured last year and Thorton isn't going anywhere. He is still listed as the starting DT with Peko.

[HairOnFire]

BTW Rudi's hamstring that is bothering him is not the one was injured last year....

How comforting.

[Ickey44]

He is still listed as the starting DT with Peko.

Well, things change. *crosses fingers*